Catholic Dads

All Hail the Golden Arches

September 23rd, 2009

I was traveling down a major road in my area during evening rush hour and I saw something that is, unfortunately, a common occurrence. There was a line of traffic at the drive through of the McDonald’s. In fact, there was so much traffic waiting for the drive through that it was spilling out onto the road. I say that this is unfortunate not because I have animosity towards McDonald’s (I love their french fries!), but because we, as Americans, don’t make time to sit down to a family meal anymore. Our lives are so over-scheduled (mine included). Between running the kids from one activity to the next, both parents working, and the long hours we have to put into our jobs, there just doesn’t seem to be time to sit down and eat together anymore.

My family is in a good situation when it comes to family meals. My wife and I chose to make the sacrifices necessary for her to stay home with our children. So, family meals are served most nights. I also have a flexible work schedule, which allows me to be home with them for most family meals. Oftentimes I have to go back to work after dinner, and am not home as much as I would like to be to support my wife and spend time with my children. But at least I can make it home to dinner most nights. Family mealtime is good for families. Families are healthier when they eat homemade meals together, and not just physically. Families are also healthier emotionally and spiritually through sharing a meal together. A sense of community and belonging comes from sharing this all too important meal together as a family.

There is also another meal that is, in my opinion, more important than family dinners. That meal is the Eucharist, the Mass. The Eucharistic meal is the most important thing we can do for our souls, our families, our communities. If you want a happy, healthy relationship with your spouse, go to Mass together. If you want a happy, healthy relationship with your children, participate in the Eucharist at least weekly with them. If you want to feel an inner peace and joy in your own life, join the community of Catholics at Mass. Don’t just go, sit (and stand and kneel) for an hour, and then return home. Don’t just go through the “drive through”. Get involved! Participate in the Mass. Sing the hymns. PRAY! Stop looking at your watch and actually listen to the readings and the homily. Don’t look at what everyone else is wearing or doing, but concentrate on the mystery that is being revealed before your eyes! Christ joins us, physically, in the Mass! He is there! Don’t pass up this wonderful opportunity to talk to Him and be with Him. Engage your whole mind, body, and soul in the Mass.

Make the time out of you busy schedules to eat dinner several times a week with your family. Don’t just grab McDonald’s on the run and scarf it down a you go from one activity to the next, but prepare a meal, sit down around your dining room table, eat, and share. It will transform your family. Likewise, make time to go to Mass at least weekly. And don’t just “scarf Christ down” and impatiently wait for the end of Mass so you can get back to your busy schedule. Engage in the Mass. Listen to the prayers being prayed–and pray them yourselves. And don’t just bolt for the door as the recessional hymn begins. Take the time to engage with the other members of your church community. Get to know them. Become involved in your church. It will transform your life.

(Cross-posted from Salvation is an Adventure)

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